Neighborhoods – Krista + Rosie, Realtorshttp://kristashouse.com
Hi friends! We are Krista + Rosie, the brains behind the Krista + Rosie Team. Powered by Abio Properties we are a top producing real estate team working {and having fun} in Berkeley, Oakland and the surrounding areas. From buying + selling to DIY + home decor to plumber + gardener recommendations we are your one-stop-shop for all things real estate.Mon, 02 Apr 2018 18:19:45 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.9311953237827 Sterling Offers Function and Flexibility for a Multitude of Lifestyleshttp://kristashouse.com/blog/2018/03/18/7827-sterling-offers-function-flexibility-multitude-lifestyles/
http://kristashouse.com/blog/2018/03/18/7827-sterling-offers-function-flexibility-multitude-lifestyles/#respondSun, 18 Mar 2018 17:16:25 +0000http://kristashouse.com/?p=3568Welcome to 7827 Sterling Drive, a charming home located on a peaceful street lined with trees in the King Estates neighborhood of Oakland. This home offers flexibility for a multitude of lifestyles. When we first met the Seller in the Summer of 2016 we were holding open another home a block away, on Greenly Drive. James […]

]]>Welcome to 7827 Sterling Drive, a charming home located on a peaceful street lined with trees in the King Estates neighborhood of Oakland. This home offers flexibility for a multitude of lifestyles.

When we first met the Seller in the Summer of 2016 we were holding open another home a block away, on Greenly Drive. James walked into our open house and mentioned he had a home located on the next block over that he and his wife had restored about 10 years ago. He and his family moved out of the area and have been renting it the past few years; his tenants had just moved out and he was preparing to paint it, and deciding whether he should sell or rent it.

After the open house we walked over to take a look.

We spent about 45 minutes walking through the house and discussing the Seller’s needs. It was a charming home, full of style, and it was clear they put a lot of sweat-equity, hard work, and care into the house. When they purchased the home it was a “handyman’s special” – according to the Seller that was an understatement. The floorplan was a little unusual and after spending the next four years stripping down walls to the studs, replacing holes in the roofs, pouring foundations, replacing tile, rehabbing rooms and re-working hallways they had a comfortable, functional home that they could entertain and grow their family in.

Before, 2004

After, 2018

The Seller’s wife handmade all of the decorative shutters the line the outside windows and picked a custom, artistic palette of paint for the interior. They completely re-built the back cottage so family had a comfortable place to stay while visiting. They had originally planned to turn the studio into a master bedroom but decided they wanted to keep it as a separate space.

After finishing the house they terraced the garden and planted vegetables, fruit trees, and bouganvilla. In the front yard they planted orange and plum trees and a tigerlily and magnolia; in the back is a mandarin and apricot tree. Rhubarb, which still happily grows, was harvested for rhubarb jam and tomatoes proudly grew. A tree swing was installed under that grand oak tree, and a gate was put in the back fence so the neighboring kids could easily play.

Time passed and although the Sellers loved their home they were relocated out of the area for work. They weren’t ready to let go of their prized home and decided to rent it. On a visit to the house in the Summer of 2016 James stopped into our open house and after talking it through with us thought that maybe the time was coming to sell the house.

Based on the market when we first met, James and his wife decided to paint it and continuing renting, it just didn’t feel like the right time. We set them up with a Seller’s search account through the MLS so they could stay on top of the market. We stayed in touch, and earlier this year they made the hard decision to sell. They had a terrific tenant and didn’t want to displace her, but ultimately the time had come.

We are proud to have been chosen to list this incredible home that has such a sweet history. The main house is 2 beds + 1 bath with hardwood floors, updated bath and a quaint living room that looks out onto the Oakland Hills. The spacious kitchen has been updated and opens to the backyard, perfect for year-round enjoyment + entertaining.

Exterior stairs lead to a large in-law with private entrance, full kitchen + ¾ bath– use it as an in-law, a studio, home office, or add interior access to create a beautiful master suite. Walk up the pathway through the terraced garden and you will find a second studio space with ¾ bath. This peaceful studio retreat features vaulted ceilings with exposed beams and overlooks the garden + hillside. The backyard is still a gardener’s delight and ready for new vision – fill the planter boxes with flowers or create an edible garden. There is a 1-car garage, plenty of storage, and space for your own workshop.

With so many options how would you use the space? Keep it as an investment property – it already has a great tenant – or purchase it to live in: live in the main house and rent the studio or keep it for yourself!

]]>http://kristashouse.com/blog/2018/03/18/7827-sterling-offers-function-flexibility-multitude-lifestyles/feed/03568Client Success Story #202http://kristashouse.com/blog/2017/11/09/client-success-story-122/
http://kristashouse.com/blog/2017/11/09/client-success-story-122/#respondThu, 09 Nov 2017 19:37:26 +0000http://kristashouse.com/?p=3549Judy Shelton lived in her Albany home for over 50 years. Having raised both her children and her grandchildren in this home, she had accumulated decades of memories and possessions. Her grandson had just graduated high school and was heading up north to attend college; Judy no longer needed such a big house and wanted […]

Judy Shelton lived in her Albany home for over 50 years. Having raised both her children and her grandchildren in this home, she had accumulated decades of memories and possessions. Her grandson had just graduated high school and was heading up north to attend college; Judy no longer needed such a big house and wanted to move to be near her grandson and one of her daughters. The thought of selling her family home seemed overwhelming and she knew she needed to find support to help with the physical and emotional aspects of the move. Judy had originally consulted with a friend who is a Realtor in Walnut Creek so she had an idea of what would be involved in the process. Concerned that her Realtor friend didn’t know the Albany market well enough, she talk talked to some friends who referred her to us. She gave us a call and quickly realized that having a local agent would in fact be in her best interest. We seemed a good fit as and liked each other from the beginning so we started to work together.

Judy’s home, while structurally sound, was in need of some updating. Though the kitchen and one of the baths had already been worked on, there was a lot of work left to be done. Before we could focus on prepping the house we needed a plan to move Judy out and empty out the well-loved house. With the help nearby family, we were able to both find her a temporary place to live near her grandson and clear out the house. Judy gave us a healthy budget of $50,000 and based on our advice, she set an additional 10% in reserves to cover the unknowns. We used our resources to gather bids and then assessed which updates would give her the highest return on investment. Together we decided on new floors, new interior and exterior paint, a facelift to the bathroom, landscaping both the front and backyard, and rebuilding a two-car garage. We brought in our incredible team of contractors, painters and plumbers and transformed the entire house into beautiful cohesive space that would be attractive to many Albany buyers.

Judy’s step-daughter called and said “I cannot believe what you have done to her house, it looks absolutely incredible!” Judy called and was practically in tears, she couldn’t believe the transformation. She was so appreciative of the care and consideration we put into each decision. We designed a space that was modern, efficient and bright, and made the backyard an extension of the house. It was simply gorgeous!

With the design in place, we discussed the list price and the many different kinds of pricing strategies used in the East bay. In Albany, like much of the East bay, the list price matters! Happily, we received multiple offers within days of coming on the market. To our surprise, the sales prices far exceeded both Judy’s expectations and our predictions. The best part is that with the additional proceeds, Judy was able to move out of her rental and purchase a home with cash where she now lives. When we asked Judy about her overall real estate experience the thing that stood out in her mind was the sales price – she was so grateful. She was also appreciative of our local knowledge, great ideas, and excellent communication throughout the process.

We love working with clients like Judy. We are so happy to know that Judy is now living comfortably in her new home, near her family. If you know of others like Judy and her family, we would love to help them too. Just call us at 510-612-5546 or visit our website at www.kristaandrosie.com and we promise to give them the same great service that we gave Judy.

]]>http://kristashouse.com/blog/2017/11/09/client-success-story-122/feed/03549Restaurant Review: Juanita and Maudehttp://kristashouse.com/blog/2017/11/06/restaurant-review-juanita-maude/
http://kristashouse.com/blog/2017/11/06/restaurant-review-juanita-maude/#respondMon, 06 Nov 2017 22:24:46 +0000http://kristashouse.com/?p=3525HOT AND NEW TO ALBANY! The newest addition to the local restaurant scene is the hot and trendy “Juanita and Maude,” which made its debut in October. Former Corso chef Scott Eastman, with his wife, Ariane Owens, takes New American cuisine to the next level. The setting is warm yet classy, the food is creative […]

The newest addition to the local restaurant scene is the hot and trendy “Juanita and Maude,” which made its debut in October. Former Corso chef Scott Eastman, with his wife, Ariane Owens, takes New American cuisine to the next level. The setting is warm yet classy, the food is creative yet comforting, and the cocktails are inventive yet classic. Although the menu changes daily you can find dishes like ahi tuna carpaccio, carrot + ginger soup, roasted pumpkin gnocchi or house-made bratwurst. There isn’t a kid’s menu, but my two girls were more than happy to share the warm bread with rosemary butter and the lasagna, plus a house-made beverage. The dessert menu features seasonal ingredients, and the chocolate torte (covered in sea salt and cacao nibs) is not to be missed. Juanita and Maude is open for dinner Tuesday – Saturday for dinner and is located at 825 San Pablo in Albany. Bon Appetit!

]]>http://kristashouse.com/blog/2017/11/06/restaurant-review-juanita-maude/feed/03525The Heat of the Markethttp://kristashouse.com/blog/2017/10/04/the-heat-of-the-market/
http://kristashouse.com/blog/2017/10/04/the-heat-of-the-market/#respondWed, 04 Oct 2017 13:44:30 +0000http://kristashouse.com/?p=3510Summer is over and the market is still hot, hot, hot. However, it isn’t as hot as it has been over the past 6 months. But here is the thing: our market is hyperlocal and it changes week by week. How can this be? In a market with low inventory all it takes is for […]

Summer is over and the market is still hot, hot, hot. However, it isn’t as hot as it has been over the past 6 months. But here is the thing: our market is hyperlocal and it changes week by week. How can this be?

In a market with low inventory all it takes is for a handful of the same houses to come on the market at the same time. Late August the inventory in Berkeley and Albany was low. Yes, it was a seasonal low, but there were still enough buyers to make these homes receive multiple offers and sell for over asking. The week after labor day that all changed: 18 2 bedroom, 1 bath homes came on the market in Berkeley alone, an uptick in inventory like we haven’t seen all year.

What happened was that for each house that was previously receiving 6-10 offers, there were now enough houses for all of the buyers. As a result, some homes in El Cerrito, Kensington and Berkeley did not receive offers on the anticipated offer date.

The past two weeks saw daily emails from agents who had sent out emails saying “No Offers,” “Offers as they come,” and “Transparent Pricing.”

In looking at the data many of these homes are now in contract, but only time will tell whether these homes sold for the anticipated price. This is one of the dangers of a market with low inventory. If you are considering selling then be sure to consult with a hyperlocal agent who knows your area and understands the inventory trends. This week? Inventory is back to normal {low} levels.

]]>http://kristashouse.com/blog/2017/10/04/the-heat-of-the-market/feed/03510Albany September Market Statshttp://kristashouse.com/blog/2017/10/02/albany-september-market-stats/
http://kristashouse.com/blog/2017/10/02/albany-september-market-stats/#respondMon, 02 Oct 2017 20:51:57 +0000http://kristashouse.com/?p=3519Here are the stats for Albany, CA for the month of September 2017. Market data is provided by Redfin and Bridge MLS and includes sales for only Single Family Detached Homes for the month of September. Data does not include condominiums or off-MLS sales – call us for more details.

Here are the stats for Albany, CA for the month of September 2017. Market data is provided by Redfin and Bridge MLS and includes sales for only Single Family Detached Homes for the month of September. Data does not include condominiums or off-MLS sales – call us for more details.

]]>http://kristashouse.com/blog/2017/06/18/2-open-houses-today/feed/03494New Listing: 1086 Spruce, Berkeley Hillshttp://kristashouse.com/blog/2017/06/04/new-listing-1086-spruce-berkeley-hills/
http://kristashouse.com/blog/2017/06/04/new-listing-1086-spruce-berkeley-hills/#respondSun, 04 Jun 2017 15:16:32 +0000http://kristashouse.com/?p=3482We have a new listing: 1086 Spruce St in the Berkeley Hills! If ever there were a home that exuded absolute quintessential Berkeley, this is it. This outstanding home features 3 bedrooms and 1.5 baths, and with approximately 1972 square feet there is plenty of room to roam. From the original woodwork and wainscoting to […]

We have a new listing: 1086 Spruce St in the Berkeley Hills! If ever there were a home that exuded absolute quintessential Berkeley, this is it. This outstanding home features 3 bedrooms and 1.5 baths, and with approximately 1972 square feet there is plenty of room to roam. From the original woodwork and wainscoting to the lighting and beautiful built-ins, this home will take you back in time. Enjoy the expansive bay views from the living room, updated kitchen and two bedrooms – simply stunning sunsets. Please visit us at one of our scheduled open houses. www.1086Spruce.com

]]>http://kristashouse.com/blog/2017/06/04/new-listing-1086-spruce-berkeley-hills/feed/03482Albany and Berkeley Make the “Best of” Chartshttp://kristashouse.com/blog/2017/05/09/albany-berkeley-make-best-charts/
http://kristashouse.com/blog/2017/05/09/albany-berkeley-make-best-charts/#respondTue, 09 May 2017 16:58:21 +0000http://kristashouse.com/?p=3476Niche.com, a nationwide rankings and review site with information in K-12 schools, colleges, cities and neighborhoods, has recently come out with their 2017 “Best of” lists. From “Best Cities to Raise a Family” to “Best Public Schools“, Niche.com has become a resource for discovering the schools and neighborhoods that are right for you. Two of our […]

Niche.com, a nationwide rankings and review site with information in K-12 schools, colleges, cities and neighborhoods, has recently come out with their 2017 “Best of” lists. From “Best Cities to Raise a Family” to “Best Public Schools“, Niche.com has become a resource for discovering the schools and neighborhoods that are right for you.

Rounding off the top 5 best cities to live is Berkeley, CA. Yes, top 5 of ALL cities! I live and work in Berkeley, so of course I will agree. Our town is walkable, bikeable, hikeable. Best food, best farmer’s markets, best access to local meats and dairy. Gorgeous weather, parks, kid-friendly and pet-friendly. Sit down in any cafe and you will hear 10 languages being spoken around you. The architecture is spectacular, from Craftsman to Cottage to Fish. Berkeley is where the brightest of minds pass through.

]]>http://kristashouse.com/blog/2017/05/09/albany-berkeley-make-best-charts/feed/034763405 Wisconsin, 3 beds + 2 baths in the HOT Laurel Districthttp://kristashouse.com/blog/2017/04/06/3405-wisconsin-3-beds-2-baths-hot-laurel-district/
http://kristashouse.com/blog/2017/04/06/3405-wisconsin-3-beds-2-baths-hot-laurel-district/#commentsThu, 06 Apr 2017 22:12:19 +0000http://kristashouse.com/?p=3458We just listed this SWEET 3 bedroom, 2 bath home in the HOT Laurel District. 3405 Wisconsin is a terrific RANCH-style home. Welcome to 3405 Wisconsin Street., a gorgeous, single-level home located in the Laurel District. This tastefully updated 3 bed, 2 bath home has been well-cared for over the years. As soon as you […]

We just listed this SWEET 3 bedroom, 2 bath home in the HOT Laurel District. 3405 Wisconsin is a terrific RANCH-style home.

Welcome to 3405 Wisconsin Street., a gorgeous, single-level home located in the Laurel District. This tastefully updated 3 bed, 2 bath home has been well-cared for over the years. As soon as you approach the house you will instantly notice the beautiful planter boxes framed by diamond-laced windows. The front walkway is lined by a colorful array of drought-tolerant plantings with a towering redwood above.

Once inside you will be facing a large tiled entry overlooking the living room. Framed by a large picture window and a beautiful brick fireplace the living room provides a sunny + comfortable place to relax and unwind. The spacious bedrooms and master suite are located on one end of the house and the living space on the other- perfect for entertaining! Features include: gourmet kitchen + dining room w/built in brick oven, bonus room (think family room or office), huge laundry room, spacious master bedroom and a 2 car garage with workbench.

Outside there is a large deck that can be enjoyed year-round. The pergola, dressed in fun party lights, creates a sense of privacy and character. The Seller’s have used this as an extension of their home by adding in a couch, table and table top fire pit. This is a great space to host parties, BBQ, or wind down at the end of a long day. The other side of the house features a large, sunny garden where you can grow everything from plants to veggies to fruit trees.

We always ask Sellers what drew them to their house. For the owners it wasn’t just the style of the house but the neighborhood. The neighbors were so friendly at they instantly felt at home. Jordan Park was a huge draw for their family, as was the proximity to the shops + restaurants on MacArthur Blvd. The huge success of Sequoia Diner has put the Laurel District on the map as the next cool spot. 4505 Burgers, Taprooms, and niche gift stores are all entering the Laurel scene. The Transbay bus is nearby, and that was also a big draw.

]]>http://kristashouse.com/blog/2017/04/06/3405-wisconsin-3-beds-2-baths-hot-laurel-district/feed/13458A Historical Tour of San Pablo Park, Berkeleyhttp://kristashouse.com/blog/2017/03/25/historical-tour-san-pablo-park-berkeley/
http://kristashouse.com/blog/2017/03/25/historical-tour-san-pablo-park-berkeley/#respondSat, 25 Mar 2017 17:44:35 +0000http://kristashouse.com/?p=3438Berkeley has some amazing parks. I recently learned that San Pablo Park is the oldest park in Berkeley. I have sold a bunch of homes near the park, but it wasn’t until I was speaking to the Seller of an upcoming listing that I learned about the backstory of the park including its deep history within […]

Berkeley has some amazing parks. I recently learned that San Pablo Park is the oldest park in Berkeley. I have sold a bunch of homes near the park, but it wasn’t until I was speaking to the Seller of an upcoming listing that I learned about the backstory of the park including its deep history within the community.

Today the park is a thriving + active community of children playing in the tot lot; baseball enthusiasts continuing to hit home runs; the spring of tennis balls on the courts; balloons flying overhead during birthday parties; and kids + adults chasing after the ice cream truck during the Spring and Summer months. The park has come a long way!

Next time you are in Berkeley be sure to stop by this amazing park. And take a little time to reflect on its rich history.